Need some gear advice for my Opteron 148 overclock workstation

Youneex · 10-January-06, 09:02 AM

I've already purchased the Opteron 148, and it is a CAB2E 0540. Before listing what else I had in mind, I'd like to say that I only use the computer for menial tasks, and Counter-Strike: Source (which is why I wanted to upgrade in the first place). I'm not looking to be the benchmark king, just something that'll give me very good performance in CS.

Parts (I've got the processor):

Mobo: DFI LANPARTY UT nF4 SLI-DR Expert
Video Card: I was thinking a 7800 GT (is the GTX worth it?)
RAM: I'm rather clueless on the RAM, but I do want 2 GB
HD: Western Digital Raptor WD740GD 74GB (Is Raid 0 worth enough to buy 2?)
Power Supply: Again I'm clueless, and I don't really know what price range to hit.
Case: Thermaltake XASER, Armor Series VA8000BWS
Cooling: I'm really leaning towards water cooling as I have never tried it, and it sounds intriguing. Any suggestions for that case?

My budget is fairly unrestricted, but again, I don't need the best out there.

Thanks in advance.

Dex · 10-January-06, 10:32 AM

An overclocked Opteron and a 7800GT would give you ample performance in CS Source.

The GTX does have extra pipelines, but I doubt you would notice the difference for the extra cash in your case.

Watercooling can be pretty easy to get into. I recommend checking out Alphacool and Inovatek.

They both make top quality gear, thats very easy to get into for beginners.

Zaltan · 11-January-06, 12:07 PM

Any semi-decent modern video card would yield good results in CounterStrike:Source, but with a 7800GT it'll fly! I personally believe that 1GB will do you fine for now , so long as it's decent quality.

Something like this would be fine if your not overclocking.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231012

These are better if you are
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820146890 TCC5 pretty similar to TCCD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231013 I think this stuff it BH-5

Powersupplies are very important in anygood system. Aim for one with at least 400w's with some nice rails.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817103928 This one is probably fine, nice cheap price.

Mid-Range PSU's
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104934 - I have this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817711002

Ultimate Performance PSU's
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817703001
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817151025

Hope this helps!

10-January-06, 09:02 AM		#1 (permalink)
Youneex Apex Techie Wannabe	Need some gear advice for my Opteron 148 overclock workstation I've already purchased the Opteron 148, and it is a CAB2E 0540. Before listing what else I had in mind, I'd like to say that I only use the computer for menial tasks, and Counter-Strike: Source (which is why I wanted to upgrade in the first place). I'm not looking to be the benchmark king, just something that'll give me very good performance in CS. Parts (I've got the processor): Mobo: DFI LANPARTY UT nF4 SLI-DR Expert Video Card: I was thinking a 7800 GT (is the GTX worth it?) RAM: I'm rather clueless on the RAM, but I do want 2 GB HD: Western Digital Raptor WD740GD 74GB (Is Raid 0 worth enough to buy 2?) Power Supply: Again I'm clueless, and I don't really know what price range to hit. Case: Thermaltake XASER, Armor Series VA8000BWS Cooling: I'm really leaning towards water cooling as I have never tried it, and it sounds intriguing. Any suggestions for that case? My budget is fairly unrestricted, but again, I don't need the best out there. Thanks in advance.

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10-January-06, 10:32 AM		#2 (permalink)
Dex Retr-hoe Reviewer	An overclocked Opteron and a 7800GT would give you ample performance in CS Source. The GTX does have extra pipelines, but I doubt you would notice the difference for the extra cash in your case. Watercooling can be pretty easy to get into. I recommend checking out Alphacool and Inovatek. They both make top quality gear, thats very easy to get into for beginners.

11-January-06, 12:07 PM		#3 (permalink)
Zaltan Apex Tech God	Any semi-decent modern video card would yield good results in CounterStrike:Source, but with a 7800GT it'll fly! I personally believe that 1GB will do you fine for now , so long as it's decent quality. Something like this would be fine if your not overclocking. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231012 These are better if you are http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820146890 TCC5 pretty similar to TCCD http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231013 I think this stuff it BH-5 Powersupplies are very important in anygood system. Aim for one with at least 400w's with some nice rails. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817103928 This one is probably fine, nice cheap price. Mid-Range PSU's http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104934 - I have this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817711002 Ultimate Performance PSU's http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817703001 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817151025 Hope this helps!